Press Release: Audition to join The Chelmsford Ballet Company in its 70th year

[Jan McNulty]

Audition to join The Chelmsford Ballet Company in its 70^th year

 

 

The Chelmsford Ballet Company will hold its annual auditions for dancing membership on Sunday 23 June 2019 at CYGAMS HQ, Chelmsford. Applications are sought from both male and female dancers to join the Company, with the closing date for applications set for 9 June.

 

Following a ballet class before a panel of distinguished adjudicators, successful candidates will be invited to join the Company as either junior, general or senior dancing members, and will be eligible to audition for its annual production at the Civic Theatre, Chelmsford. Only auditioned members may dance in this production, for which separate auditions are held later in the year. Following the Company’s Midsummer Night’s Dream & 70^th Anniversary Celebrations staged in March, its 2020 production is yet to be announced.

 

In joining The Chelmsford Ballet Company, auditionees will join like-minded dancers who are friendly, dedicated and passionate about dance. The aim of the company is to inspire and progress enthusiastic dancers in a safe, friendly and open environment with a professional approach, whilst having fun along the way. Monthly company classes are held, in addition to other member-only events, such a workshops, held throughout the year.

 

As an amateur company, The Chelmsford Ballet Company aspires to set professional standards for all its work, with dancers across the county and beyond. The company is based in Chelmsford, however it is not an extension of any dance school. It is a not for profit organisation, with a dedicated team of volunteers. 

 

Details of the audition schedule will be sent to applicants after the closing date, with auditions taking place between 10am-4pm (registration from 9.30am). For more information, visit https://www.thechelmsfordballetcompany.co/

 

ENDS

 

 

Dancers should note the following criteria for eligibility.

 

Auditions for Junior/General dancing membership of The Chelmsford Ballet Company is for dancers age 10 and above, (applicants must be age 10 or above by 31 August 2019), working at Grade 2 or equivalent.

 

For those auditioning for senior dancing membership (applicants must be age 13 or above by 31 August 2019). It will include work to suit those working at or above grade 6 or equivalent level and will include pointe work. Please note auditions will be in front of a panel of professionals from a dance background.

 

 

About The Chelmsford Ballet Company

 

 

In 1947, Joan Weston created the Broomfield YMCA Ballet Company in order to give the more senior students at her existing dance school the opportunity to learn and perform to the public. It was after their 1949 performance of Coppélia at the Shire Hall that the then Mayor of Chelmsford suggested the name ‘The Chelmsford Ballet Company’, and with a small committee the company was born.

 

Since 1949, the company has staged a full-scale production every year. Initially a part of the Arts Festival, and then the Cathedral Fringe Festival, they occur today as an annual event in their own right. Today the company is led by Artistic Director Annette Potter, who is a former dancing member. Annette danced many leading roles with the company before moving on to teaching and choreography.

 

The ballet company is a way for skilled dancers from across the area to perform together and to showcase their considerable talents to appreciative and receptive audiences, but it is not affiliated with any one dance school. These performances always maintain the high standards set by Joan Weston and have become a well-loved cornerstone of Chelmsford’s cultural calendar.

 

The Chelmsford Ballet Company is “an amateur company which sets professional standards for all its work, involving professionals in its productions, courses and other teaching and workshop opportunities”. The standards are such that both junior (aged 10 and Standard/Grade 2 or above) and senior (over 14) dancers must audition to become members and again each year to perform in any production. These high standards are maintained through the monthly company classes, where the dancers are able to meet and take a class with experienced and distinguished teachers. In the 1960s a Scholarship Fund was created to help young dancers moving to professional training.

https://www.thechelmsfordballetcompany.co/

 

Photo credits:  Amelia Potter